CRC Advocacy and
Research Aims

P (02) 9288 8700

E info@crcnsw.org.au

What do we strive for in advocacy?

  • A strong, bidirectional relationship between service provision and systemic advocacy.
  • Research and evaluation that improves CRC’s services and supports people to break free of criminal legal system (CLS) involvement. We do this through gathering and reporting evidence, identifying needs, and developing solutions.
  • Shifting public narrative away from a tough on crime approach, and a focus on individualised ‘offending’, to a more contextually aware, equity and human rights focused understanding of criminalised behaviour and communities. We do this through refocusing public attention on to the social determinants of incarceration, the benefits of diversionary and decarceral approaches, and more. Such a reframing will occur through approaches like public campaigns, submissions and training.
  • Versatility in the framing of our advocacy to suit a breadth of audiences.
  • Centring the voices and knowledge of people with lived and living experience of the prison system in research, education, and evaluation.
  • Monitoring the impact of our advocacy efforts. We will do this through employing creative ways to track the progress of our social change work, monitoring progress toward desired outcomes, and evaluating the effectiveness of strategies.

Examples of our advocacy work include:

  • Demonstrating the importance and efficacy of supporting and properly funding community-based supports for people impacted by the CLS, including those exiting prison.
  • Writing submissions to parliamentary inquiries, highlighting considerations for people impacted by the CLS.
  • Briefing and meeting with Government Ministers and policy makers.
  • Contributing to networks and steering committees such as KWOOP (Keeping Women Out of Prison) and the NSW Legal Assistance Forum (NLAF).
  • Contributing to ethical academic and applied research that aims to address gaps in knowledge about the people CRC supports, and the CLS more broadly.

The key issues that CRC advocates for include:

  • Reducing the prison population by identifying and dismantling intersecting, systemic drivers of incarceration and recidivism.
  • Building resources, support and the political will to fund community-led supports and alternatives to incarceration.
  • Improving post-release supports so that people can build pathways out of the CLS. This includes advocating for housing and resourcing for homeless populations on release from prison.
  • Reforming drug policy – advocating for the decriminalisation of personal drug possession, expanding harm reduction and prioritising treatment over punishment.
  • Improving access to the NDIS for people with disabilities who are also involved in the CLS, recognising the overrepresentation of people with disabilities in the prison system.
  • Improving conditions and opportunities for:
    • People who are in prison (particularly regarding access to education, training and genuine work opportunities)
    • Family members and friends of people in prison (particularly regarding visits, respectful treatment and access)
    • People when they leave prison (including breaking the cycle of imprisonment and homelessness)
  • Reducing the over-representation of disadvantaged and minoritised communities in prison, including people with mental illness, people with disabilities, First Nations communities and people navigating alcohol and other drug dependence.
  • Ensuring that people with lived experience of incarceration are given platforms to share expertise and offer leadership in this space.

We advocate for vulnerable, disadvantaged and minoritised communities with CLS involvement, or who are at risk of it, including:

  • First Nations people
  • People with disabilities
  • People with mental health support needs
  • Children and young people
  • Victim-survivors of violence, including through affirming their rights and needs, partnering with organisations that support victim-survivors, and engaging with restorative justice principles.
  • People who experience trauma and social exclusion
  • People from low socio-economic backgrounds
  • People who use substances
  • LGBTQ+ communities
  • Parents/carers, families and communities.

Why is research important?

The evidence from international best-practice literature shows that early intervention – paired with specialised diversion and integrated throughcare support – is effective in keeping people out of prison.

By reviewing and incorporating findings from relevant literature, and engaging in our own rigorous program evaluations, the ARPU is continuously learning, translating and adapting approaches to inform the work of CRC. The evidence, paired with CRC’s program successes, demonstrates that it is possible to support people to build pathways and identities outside of the CLS, and to grow meaningful lives within the community.

ARPU advocates for research-led solutions and nuanced long-term strengths-based program responses, to supporting social inclusion and connection, rather than approaches that normalise exclusion, disadvantage and incarceration.

For research and advocacy enquiries, please contact us at arpu.team@crcnsw.org.au